Ventilator-cap.



Patanted Nov. 2!, 5899.

E. H, MIBBLH'GN. VENTiLATD R GAP. (Application 520d Junie 28, 1899.)

2 Sbeets-$heef L (No Modal.)

4 W ITN ESSES I H INVENTOR:

m ssmzo. Patented Nov. 21, I899.

- E. ummmemw,

(Application filed June 25, 1890) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-$81691 -2.

WITN ESSES:

ETHELBERT H. MIDDLETON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THEMERCHANT 8: COMPANY,

INCORPORATED, OF SAME PLACE.

VENTILATOR-CAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,520, dated November21, 1899. Application filed June 28, 1899. Serial No. 722,127. (Nomodel.)

To all whom, it Uta/y concern:

Be it known that I, ETHELBERT H. MIDDLE- TON,a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVentilator- Caps, of which the. following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices known as ventilating caps, designed tobe located upon or over the upper ends of ventilating fines, shafts,tubes, or outlets, or light wells, and intended, while affording andpromoting the freest possible escape of the air, to prevent the entranceof rain or snow or the establishment of back pressure. a

It is a desideratum that structures of this class, when employed incertain locations,

should be constructed, as to their overarching domes or tops, of glassor other transparent material.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide ventilating caps, ofthelarger size, equipped with a skeleton top plate or dome of suchcharacter as to be adapted to receive and support a number ofrelativelysmall pieces of glass which, when assembled, form, with saidframe, a complete transparenttop or dome, the structure possessing thefurther advantage that it may be of conical form, and, therefore, thebetter adapted to shed water and snow, and accumulated moisture on theinner surface-due to condensation .Owing to the exposed situation ofdevices of this cl1aracter,especially when located upon the tops of tallbuildings it is especially desirable that they should be of simpleconstruction, and of as little weight as possible,and at the sametime'very strong in order to enable them to resist the enormous windpressures to which they are subjec ted, and the diificulty of providinga ventilator cap embodying the characteristics recited, is very muchenhanced when the dome or cap plate is formed of a number of sheets ofmatched glass'jointed together in an inclined metallic framework ascompared with cap plates formed of single fiat sheets of glass.

I have, however, succeeded in providing a dome or cap plate of thecharacter set forth,

whicheombines the features of construction above named as desirable.

'view of the ventilator shown in Figure 1, sec- 6c tion' being supposedon the dotted line 3-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the central portion of the dome, thecrown sheet, 5; I term it, being supposed partially removed to exhibitthe construction and arrangement of the parts beneath' Figure 5 is aView in side elevation, partly in section, of the central portion of thedome, the section being supposed, so far as it extends, on the dottedline 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of certain parts of thedome and its supporting web, sectionbeing being supposed on dotted line6-6 of Figure l. 7

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional elevational view of a part of the dome,section being supposed on the dotted line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a view in side elevation of the parts shown in Figure 6. V t

Figure 9"is a view in inside face elevationof a portion of the sill ofthe dome.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional elevational View of certain parts ofthe dome and dome skirt, section being supposed on the dotted 8 line10-10 of Figure 1.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

In the accompanying drawings,

A indicates a vertically disposed cyli'no drical body formed of sheetmetal and con stituting the base, so to speak, of my improved ventilatorcap, said base being of any such preferred construction and arrangementas to adapt it to be seated in or upon, or snp- 5 ported in operativerelationship with respect to, the ventilating shaft or aperture inconnection with which the cap as a whole is in- I tended for employment.

Beneath an outwardly flaring lip or flange me a at'the upper end of saidbase is permanently secured tosaid base the inner edge of an annular,radially fluted, downwardly and outwardly extending base shirt B, of anyusual and. preferred form and. dimensions.

C area series of indepcnden supports, disposed in approximately (ljill-tant relationship about the circuiw'crcnc': of said. base, the lower endsof \ii re Secured to the inner face oi the base, J no bodies of whichextend. upwardly and or v ardly with respect to the same, as shownparticularly in Figu re 3.

D are a series of bracket irons, the inner ends of which are riveted orotherwise porinaucnrly secured to the structure, conveir iently rivetedto the uprights C as shown Fig ure 3,-and the bodies of which arehorizontally disposed, as best shown in said figure, and serve tosupport a band or annulus E which encircles the body of the ventilatorcap as a whole. The band F referred to is preferably formed of sheetmetahis of any preferred breadth and radius, and is convenientlyattached to the ends of the bracket irons D by rivets passing throughits body and through said ends.

F is what 1. term an intermediate skirt, being an annular inclined orconical plate, pref crably formed of sheet metal, disposed above themouth of the base A with its inner edge in contact with' and permanentlyriveted to the intermediate portions of the supports C,-

and, as to its lower edge, in contact with and permanently secured tothe horizontal intermediate portions of the bracket irons D.

As will be understood, therefore, the uprights, the bracket irons, andthe informed iatc skirt, are very firmly united and braceeach other insuch manner that the entire structure is very strong and rigid.

Upon the outwardly turned upper ends of the supports 0 is mounted, andpermanently secured by rivets or otherwise, what 1 term the dome shirtG, the same being an annular inclined or conical structure or plate ofsheet metal conveniently embodying an annular ogcc groove shownparticularly in Figu res 2 and 3.

H an annular dome sill, as I term it, oi? radius corresponding to thatof the inner ed go of the dome skirt, and preferably formed as acontinuous integral structure. Said sill is provided as to its loweredge with a downwardly and outwardly inclined flange 71 (see Figures 8,and 10,) of such dimensions as maybe found necessary and desirable,which flange is permanently and strongly bolted or riveted to the domeskirt, so that the latter serves to support the sill and superimposedparts,

The upper edge of the dome sill H is provided with a series of upwardlyand laterally projecting frame tcnons h, disposed at equidistant pointsabout the circumference of the sill, and with a series of pairs oftransverse grooves 79, each pair being formed in c0unection with, andlocated one on either side of, one of the frame tenons.

The divisions of the upper ed go of the dome l l l l l l i i llintermediate of the frame tenons, are each htly concave from end to endand each ioodies a groove 71 (see Figure 10) adapted to containanysuitablc packing material, such iutty, to make a water and surfacetight joint betw en the nnpcr edge of the sill and the sheets of glrwh'ih in the completed structure upon the sill.

The metal portion of the dome proper is composed of a inulti-arincdframe, built up 1" rom plates of sheet metal, the arms of which radiatefrom a central point to the dome-sill, to which they are connected andby which they are supported. The angular spaces between the respectivepairs of arms are provided or filled with correspondingly conformedplates of glass I, the respective side edges of which latter are securedto the opposing: faces of the arms between which the individual sheetsare respectively located, and the outer edges of which, as stated,restupon the, upper edge of the dome sill.

The letter J generically designates the radially extending arms of thedome, six of "which are present in the construction illustrated.

Thedoine frame with its arms is constructed as follows: j are a seriesof main plates, each bent to a U-form in cross-section and provided withtwo side flanges which are upwardly curved from the outer ends of theplates to a point at their inner ends in the vicinity of the center ofthe dome, and at their said inner ends arc'flat or approximatelyhorizontal, as shown, especially in Figure The inner ends of the mainplates are beveled and matched as shown in Figure 4: so that they lie or(it very snugly together, with parts oi? the horizontal portions of theside flanges of each overlying and riveted to the side flanges of thetwo adjacent plates, whereby said main plates 7' are very snugly andfirmly united.

fare a series of reinforcing plates, (see Figure 4-,} of approximatelytriangular form, disposed respectively within the inner portions of thespaces between adjacent arms, and overlyil ,nd firmly riveted to thehorizontal portions of the flanges of the main plates. Said reinforcingplates resmctivcly extend from the junction of the arms to the innerends of the upturned portions of th c'tlanges j of the main platcs j,and the outer edges of said reinforcing plates are upturned toconstitute in effect continuations of the u pturued portions of theflanges j.

The outer ends of the main plates j extend over and embrace within theirU -shapcd recesses the frame tcuons h described, and the upturnedilanges tit snugly within the grooves 7&2 at the respective sides ofsaid tenons.

The respective side edges of the triangular plates of glass I, rest uponthe upturned ilangesj, and the inner ends of said plates I overlie inpart the reinforcing plates, resting upon the upturned outer edges ofthe latter.

The arms arecompletedby plates 7' j U- shaped in cross-section whichoverlie and embrace the U-shaped outer portions of the main plates, andthe respective edges of the lower of which make tight and close contactwith the upper faces of the glass plates I.

Said overlying plates are preferably formed respectively or" iron andlead, the outer plate j of galvanized iron, and the inner onej? of lead,and all extend from the outer ends of the arms inward beycnd the outeredges of. the. reinforcing plates, where the sheets j merge into ahexagonal plate, preferably integral therewitln: termed herein the crownplate the dimensions of which render it coterminous with the outer edgesof the reinforcing plates, said plate being preferably provided withflanges as illustrated.

The inner sheets of lead j, terminate, at their inner ends, in anannular leaden web J which lies against the under face of the crownsheet er plate 41, and is firmly secured to the body of said crown orcover plate bya series of rivets, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, theleaden web 7' being braced or reinforced, preferably, by an annularplate j placed against its under face, and against which the inner headsof the securing rivets make direct contact.

The leaden an-nular'web 3' is provided in the spaces between the arms,with depending flanges which, like the edges of the plates f make watertight contact with the upper faces of the sheets of glass.

, The overlying plates 3' 7' are secured to the main platesj by rivetsor bolts passing through the bodies of all, at desired points, as shownin Figures 4, 5, and 8.

As will be understood, the tenons of dome sill afford means for verysnugly and firmly securing the outer ends of-the arms in position, andtheentirestructure of the dome is not only very light and inexpensive inconstruction, but is, in its completed form, very thoroughly braced atevery point and adapted to resist the stress of wind and the entrance ofrain.

As each of the sheets or sections of glass is of plane form, while 'theannular dome sill is, in plan, preferably of the form of a circle, theupper edge of said sill is, in the respec-, tive spaces or regionsbetween the fra me tenons, slightly concav'ed or recessed from end toend of such spaces or regions, to compensate for, the circular form ofsuch spaces or regions, and to adord a perfectly flat resting place forthe under faces of the sheets of glass which restt-hereon.

Manifestly, if the said dome sill were of uniform height throughout, theflat plates of glass maintained in an inclined position as shown inFigures 2 and 3, would each rest at a single point intermediate of thebreadth of its outer edge, upon said supporting Web.

Furthermore, as will be understood, the dome is veryvthoroughly proofagainst the entrance of rain, or water from melted snow,

by reason of the fact that the edges of the plates of glass are embracedtightly-and closely between the upturned flanges of the main plates andthe downwardly extending edges of an. overlying plate of lead, thearrangement being such that even'ifwater should percoiate or gain anentrance between the upper face of the glass and the edge of theoverlying plate of lead, it will not thereupon descend into theventilatingor light fine, but will drop into the recess or gutter formedby the upturned flange of the main plate by which it will be conducteddownwardly and outwardly and discharged upon the dome skirt G which willthrow it clear of the ventilator opening.

As will be understood, the structure, as an entirety, is of exceptionalstrength, rigidity, and lightness, and by reason of the fact that it isbuilt up of matched and fitted-plates of sheet metal and that pieces ofglass of uniform shape are employed, its parts may be made and assembledwith the minimum of skilled labor, the minimum of time, and the minimumof waste of material.

Preferably clips H are, as shown in Figure 10, secured to the flange 71of the dome sill and by engagement with the outer edges of the sheets ofglass secure the latter against any possible tendency to slide downwardand outward should they become disengagedfrom the arms.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent 1. In combination, in a ventilator cap struc leaden sheetplaced within it, means for permanently connecting the inner ends of thelower U-shaped sheets, a crown plate overlying the inner ends of saidlower U-shaped sheets and permanently connected with the upper U-shapedsheets, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, in a ventilator cap structure, a dome frame formedwith a series of radial arms each composed of two sheets of rigid metalapproximately U -shaped in crosssection, the lower sheet provided without-- wardly turned flanges, and the upper sheet providedwith an innerfacing formed by a leaden sheet placed within it, means for permanentlyconnecting the inner ends of the lower U-shaped sheets, a crown plateoverlying the inner ends of said lower U-shaped sheets and permanentlyconnected with the upper U-shaped sheets, and a leaden sheet secured tothe under surface of the crown plate and provided with a dependingflange, substantially as set forth.

3. As an article of manufacture, a ventilator cap structure embodying avertical dome sill, and a dome or cap plate formed of a series 4. As anarticle of manufacture, a multi-.

armed frame for the dome of the ventilator or ght fine cap, consistingof a series of plates oi;

led with flanges, and a series of overlying .Les ll-shaped incross-section, adapted to embrace the U-shaped portions of the mainplate, and to secure between their lower edges, and tho flanges of themain plates, the edges of sheets of glass, the inner ends of the mainplates com-*erging to a common center, and matched so that tneirends arenested together w th the flanges of each flanged plate overi aged andsecured to the flanges of its neighbor, substantially as set forth.

ii. As an. article of manufacture, a multined. frame for the dome of theventilator or ht flue cap, consisting of a series of main of metal Ushaped in cross section and provide with flanges, and a series ofoverlying plates U shaped in cross-section, adapted to embrace theU-shaped portions of the main plate, and to secure, between theirlowered s of sheets of glass, the inner ends or the ma :1 platesconverging to a common CQll' nd matched so that their ends are nestedtier wi the flanges of each plate overurcd to the flanges of itsneighaeent main plates and riveted to their re .i -ective flanges,substantially as set forth.

a. As an article of manufacture, a multiarnied frame for the dome of theventilator or light flue cap, consisting of a series of plates of metalUnbapd in crosssection and prodcd with'llanges, and a series ofoverlying ates lei-shaped in cross-section, adapted to trace theU-shapcd portions of the main esnan d to secure between their loweredges u the flanges of the main plates, the edges .asets of glass, acrown sheet or plate to h the inner ends of the overlying plates a. econnected and which crown sheet or plate the meeting inner ends of themain plates, bstantially as set forth. v 7'. As an article ofmanufacture, a multirined frame for the dome of a ventilator or li htfine cap, consisting of a series of plates '6 .l 1 of metal U-shaped incross-section and prov (led with flanges, and a series of overlyingplates L-shaped in cross-section, adapted to embrace the U-shapedportions of the main plate, and to secure between their lower edges andthe flanges of the main plates, the edges of sheets of glass, a crownsheet or plate to which the inner ends of the overlying plates areconnected and whichcrownsheet or plate covers the meeting inner ends ofthe main plates, and reinforcing plates mounted bemetal U-shaped incross-section and pro-- and the flanges 01 the main plates,

tween adjacent main plates and riveted to their respective flanges,substantially as set forth.

8. In combination with a ventilator cap structure, a dome sill providedwith a series of frame tenons, a dome frame formed of a series of radialarms of sheet metal U-shaped in cross-section, the outer ends of whichfit over and are supported by the frame tenons, substantially as setforth.

9. In combination with a ventilator cap structure, a dome sill providedwith a series of frame tenons, and embodying a series of transverse.grooves one at either side of each tenon, a dome frame composed of aseries of radial arms of sheet metal Ushaped in crosssection and havingupwardly turned flanges, the outer ends of which arms take over theframe tenons, and the upwardly turned flanges of which rest in saidtransverse grooves or recesses, substantially as set forth.

10. In combination with a ventilator cap structure, a dome sill, aconical skeleton frame consisting of a series of radially disposed arms,the spaces between which are filled by angular sheets of glass, the endsof which arms are connected to the dome sill, and the 'upper edge ofwhich dome sill, in the regions between the points of attachment of thearms, is suitably shaped or flattenedv to enable the flat sheets ofglass to make tight contact therewith, substantially as set forth.

11. As an article of manufacture, a multiarmed frame for the dome of aventilator or light lluc cap, consisting of a series of radiallyarranged plates of metal U-shaped in crossscction and provided withupturned flanges, and a series of overlying leaden plates, U- shaped incross-section, adapted to embrace the U-shaped portions of the mainplates and to secure, between their lower edges and the flanges of themain plates, the edges of sheets of glass, and a second series ofoverlying plates U-shaped in cross-section and formed I of rigid sheetmetal and arranged to overlie and inclosc the lcaden plates, reinforcingplates placed between and'riveted to the respective main plates at theirinner ends and having upturned flanges at their outer edges and a crownsheet or plate having depending flanges arranged over the meeting endsof the main plates, substantially as set forth.

1%. As an article of manufacture, a multiarined frame for the dome of aventilator or light flue cap, consisting of a series of radiallyarranged plates of metal U-shaped in crosssection and provided withflanges, and a series of overlying leaden. plates U-shaped incrossseotion adapted to embrace the U shaped portions of the main platesand to secure, between their lower edges and the flanges of the mainplates, the edges of sheets of glass, and a second series of overlyingplates U- shaped in cross-section and formed of rigid sheet metal andarranged to overlie and inclose the leaden plates, reinforcing platesplaced between and riveted to the respective crown sheet or plate havingdepending flanges plates, said crown sheet or plate being connected withthe overlying plates oi rigid 'armedframe for the dome of a ventilatingor and a second series of overlying plates U- upturred flanges at theirouter edges, and a I arranged over the meeting ends of the main metal,substantially as set forth.

13. As an article of manufacture, a multilight flue cap, consisting of aseries of radial y v ""tespfmerai*fiEifapedincTcisS section and providedwith flanges, and a ser; es of overlying leaden plates U -shap'ed incrosssection adapted to embrace the U -shaped portions 'of the mainplates and to secure, between their lower edges and the flanges of themain plates, the edges of sheets of glass;

shaped in. cross-section and formed of rigidsheetmetalfand arranged tooverlie and inclose the leaden plates, reinforcing plates placed betweenand riveted to the respective main plates at their inner ends and havingupturned flanges at their outer edges, a crown sheet or plate hit-ringdepending flanges ar- 25' ranged over the meeting ends of the-mainplates,'said crown sheet or plate being conneeted with the overlyingplatesjof rigid metal and an annules of lead provided with 3. dependingflange and formedas a continua- 30 "ti'dfidf he'leaden'lT-shapedcveriying piates;

and disposed beneath and secured to saw 31 crown she-at, substantiallyas set forth. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention Ihave hereunto signed 11); 35

name this 1st day of June, A. I); 1899.

' E. H. MIDDLETON.

In presence of F. NORMAN DIXON, THOS. K. LANCASTER.

